The Center for Literacy & Learning

Customized Professional Learning Services for Schools, School Districts and Individual Teachers

Alice P. Thomas Memorial Scholarship


Alice Peale Pierce Thomas was the founder, president, and CEO of The Center for Literacy & Learning. Alice passed away quietly and peacefully on November 3, 2022.
A core mission of social justice drove her strong belief that all children, regardless of how they look, where they come from, or how they learn, can and will achieve school success when provided with highly effective teachers and positive, supportive learning environments.

In founding and growing The Center, Alice changed the lives of countless tens of thousands by permanently changing the nature of education at a local, national, and international level – and by reforming the very way that teachers teach.

The goal of the Alice P. Thomas Memorial Scholarship is to offer funding to individuals to attend The Center for Literacy & Learning’s annual Plain Talk about Literacy and Learning® Institute. Scholarships will be awarded to educators who have done outstanding work developing skills in students in literacy including structured literacy, reading instruction, and writing instruction. 

Donate to the Scholarship

General Guidelines

The 2025 Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning® Institute will be held in New Orleans on February 12-14, 2025. Scholarship funds will be used to help defray costs to attend the Institute to those educators unable to attend otherwise. Each scholarship awarded will cover the registration fee for Plain Talk, accommodations for 3 nights (room and tax only) at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside, and up to $500 reimbursement for travel expenses. Scholarships must be used for the year it is awarded and are not transferable. 

Timeline
  • Proposal Submissions Open – July 18, 2024
  • Proposal Submissions Close – September 13, 2024, no later than 5:00 PM CST
  • Final Winner Notifications   – November 4, 2024
  • Registration Deadline – November 29, 2024
Before you Submit
  • Ensure you are available to attend Plain Talk all 3 days – February 12 – 14, 2025.
  • If accepted to receive a scholarship, you will be required to confirm your attendance and register for the conference by January 22, 2025 (the conference registration fee is waived).
  • Ensure you can pay for your own travel and be reimbursed AFTER Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning®. 
Submit your Application

Conference Details

Registration

Recipients with receive a complimentary 3-day registration to Plain Talk. 

The registration includes:

  • Registration materials
  • Entrance into all sessions and exhibit area
  • Jazz Brunch on Friday
  • Afternoon refreshments on the first 2 days
  • Access to the exhibit hall
Hotel Reservations

A room block has been established specifically for Plain Talk which allows for the guarantee of available spaces for attendees. The Center for Literacy & Learning will reserve a room in your name at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel with check-in on February 11, 2025, and check-out on February 14, 2025. We will cover room and tax only. Recipients will be required to provide a credit card upon check-in and will be responsible for parking (if applicable) and any incidental charges to their room.

Travel

Winners are required to book and pay for their own travel. The Center for Literacy & Learning will reimburse each winner after the event for up to $500 for airfare, mileage (if driving), and ground transportation. Winners must submit an invoice and copies of all receipts related to their travel expenses.

Scholarship Acceptance

  Winners will be notified via email of their selection on November 4, 2024. 

Application Procedures

Scholarships are awarded in the fall of each year. Application submission will close on September 13, 2024 at 5pm CST. Award decisions will be made by November 4, 2024. Winning applicants will be notified by email. Winner’s names will be published on The Center for Literacy & Learning’s website, social media, newsletters, and at the conference.  

Applications must be submitted electronically via Google Form. 

A committee consisting of The Center’s staff and invited professionals will review the applications. The committee reserves the right not to award any monies if the quality of the applications are insufficient. The decision of the committee is final. 

Step 1:  You will be asked to provide the following information:
  • Full Name 
  • Address (including city, state, and zip) 
  • Phone Number 
  • Job Title 
  • School or School District 
Step 2:  Answer the following questions thoroughly:
  • Explain your reasons and/or motivations for wanting to attend the 2025 Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning® Institute. 
  • Describe how you intend to apply the knowledge, techniques, and strategies acquired during your time at the 2025 Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning® Institute. 
  • What notable achievements or outstanding work have you accomplished in fostering students’ skills in reading instruction, writing instruction, and/or structured literacy? Please share specific examples of your work in these areas. 
  • Share your philosophy or driving force behind your dedication to supporting struggling readers and/or children with learning differences. 
  • Share with us your personal, family, or professional financial need for this scholarship opportunity. 
Submit your Application